Assembly mechanism



July 27, 1954 H. H. SIMSHAUSER ASSEMBLY MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 16, 1950 INVENTOR HERBERT h. SIMS/$4065)? ATTORNEYS y 27, 1954 H.H. SIMSHAUSER 2,684,523

ASSEMBLY MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1950 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR I .9F117 HERBERTQ H. am/mum? R J BY fi ATTORNEYS Patented July 27, 1954UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to an assembly mechanism and, moreparticularly, to an apparatus for assembling the parts of a commutatoror like device.

Heretofore, commutators have been assembled by hand or by the use oflarge and expensive mechanisms. To overcome the inherent difiicultiesencountered in the manufacture and use of the prior mechanisms, thepresent invention provides a novel construction which is so constitutedas to enable the elements of the commutator to be quickly and easilyassembled with the minimum amount of manual effort.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide novel meansfor directing the bar segments in the correct position to the assemblystation and also to direct the insulator elements to the same station.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel switching meansfor the motor which controls the operation of the apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedchute for conveying the bar segments in properly aligned relation to theassembly station.

A still further object of the invention is to provide new and novelconveying means for the insulator elements so that the latter may beefficiently conducted from a magazine to the assembly station.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be madeapparent by the following description and drawings which, it will beunderstood, are only illustrative of the invention and impose nolimitation thereon not imposed by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer tolike parts,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a commutator assembly apparatusembodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of a commutator bar segment;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a segment;

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view of the commutator segment assemblychute;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the chute taken on line 5-5 ofFig. 1;

Figs. 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views taken on lines @6 and ll ofFig. l;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus and illustratesthe cooperative relationship between the feeding of the segments and thefeeding of the insulator elements;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views of the bar segment chute taken onlines 99 and lf.illl, respectively of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the aligning wheel; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the insulator element magazine taken online l2-I .2 of Fig. 8.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the novel commutator assemblingapparatus of the present invention is illustrated therein as including ahopper 2 for receiving a plurality of commutator bar segments. Thesesegments are delivered, in a manner which will appear more fullyhereinafter, to a chute it and are fed downwardly through an entrancesection to an assembly station A where individual commutator barsegments are matched with individual insulator elements fed from amagazine, and delivered in pairs to a final assembly station E in orderto produce the commutator as shown at C.

Means are provided for elevating and conveying segments from the hopper2 to the chute Ill, and as illustrated, such means includes a rotatingrim 4 provided with a cover plate 6 on the rear face thereof. Inwardlydirected projectors 8 are secured to the inner surface of the rim 4 andthe latter is adapted to rotate in the hopper through the pile ofsegments therein in order to elevate the same and convey them to thechute iii. The elevating rim 4 may be suitably driven by means of anelectric motor through a V-belt drive, chain and sprocket or othersuitable means, not illustrated.

As will be observed from Figs. 2 and 3, the com mutator segments H areirregularly shaped so as to provide a pair of opposite sides l2 and Ithaving diiierent lengths, such sides being connected by curved portionsl6 and i8. Such segments are also wedge-shaped or tapered as illustratedin Fig. 2. When the segments are finally assembled at C, Fig. 1, it isseen that the sides It are directed inwardly while the sides itconstitute the outer periphery of the commutator. Since it is necessarythat the segments be delivered to the final assembly station E in properposition to result in the arrangement shown at C, the present inventionprovides a novel construction for properly aligning the segments as theyare conveyed along the chute it.

In order to provide the foregoing, the chute it is rectangular insection and is provided at its upper inclined end within the elevatingmechanism with diverging flanges it which receive the segment as theyfall from the projections t. A groove 53d extends throughout the lengthof the chute and is V-shaped in cross-section adjacent the flanges l3,as shown at 22 in Fig. 6, and gradually changes in shape to arectangular section 24, as shown in Fig. 7. The depth of the groove alsogradually increases to a point wherein the entire bar segment isdisposed within the body of the chute. The bar segments are tapered insection, as shown in Fig. 2 and, as the segments slide down the chute,the sides i i thereof are adapted to ride in the groove. In the eventone of the segments falls into the chute with its side !2 engaging thegroove, the weight of the side Id of the segment will cause it to fallout of the chute over the edges of the l -shaped portion and back intothe hopper. ihose segments properly positioned in the chute will passfrom the V- shaped portion to the rectangularly grooved portion of thechute and thence to the assembly station.

Additional means are provided for insuring proper positioning of the barsegments in the chute iii. Such means includes a guard Wheel 26 which isrotatably mounted above the chute it adjacent the section it. The guardwheel is provided with fianges 2B, the adjacent inner faces of whichconverge toward the center of the wheel. As the bar segments move downthe chute it in the groove, these segments properly positioned will passbetween the flanges 23 of the wheel 25%. However, in the event a barsegment is positioned in the groove in reversed position, the side itthereof will engage the flanges of the wheel and the rotary movement ofthe wheel will either cause the segment to be turned to its properposition in the chute or cause the segment to be ejected and returned tothe hopper 2. After the bar segments are properly positioned in thegroove, as above stated, they move by gravity to the vertical portion ofthe chute and to the assembly station A. A cover plate 3i] is providedon the vertical continuation of the chute it to confine the segments inthe groove 26.

Positive means are provided for moving the bar segments through thelower, vertical portion of the chute, it being pointed out that theshape of the groove 28 adjacent the assembly station A gradually changesfrom a rectangular section 32 to a wedge-shaped section 34, see Figs. 9and 10, in order to frictionally engage opposite surfaces of thesegments and thus prevent the feeding thereof by gravity. As shown, suchmeans includes a motor-driven shaft 36 having mounted on the end thereofa cam wheel 38 on one face of which is mounted an upwardly extending it,the free end thereof being moved rectilinearly during rotation of thewheel 38. A crank is mounted on the free end of the arm 40, the free endof the crank extending through a slot 44, formed in the side wall of thechute ill and into the groove it formed therein, the end of the crankforming a dog 45 provided with an inclined end for a purpose which willappear more fully hereinafter. An enclosure is overlies the upperportion of the crank 52 and is mounted on the chute it. Suitable meanscomprising a spring pressed roller 5% are mounted in the enclosure, theedge of the roller engaging the crank to resiliently maintain the crankin the slot 44. A spring finger 52 extends through the wall of the chuteslightly above the slot and is positioned to normally engage one ofsides !2.

In order to positively feed the bar segments H to the assembly stationA, the shaft 36 is retated in order to reciprocate the crank 32. As thesegments move through the groove 2% in the chute H! and past the springfinger 52, the dog 46 engages the reduced neck portion of the segment,defined by one of the curved portions it, IS, and forces the segment lldown the chute. The next succeeding segment has begun its move ment downthe chute and as the dog 46 moves upwardly on its return stroke, thespring finger 52 engages the surface thereof between the curved portionsit and Iii and the side I l and prevents the succeeding segment frombeing forced back up the chute by the upward move ment of the dog it.The operation is repeated and the succeeding segments positively feddown the chute. Since, as above stated, the groove 20 in the chute itbelow the slot at assumes the wedge-shaped section (i l, see Fig. 10,the segments are held therein by friction thereby enabling the positivefeeding action. The end of the dog it is inclined in order to permit thedog to readily pass over the succeeding segment on its upward movement.

Novel means are provided for feeding insulator elements iii to theassembly station A in sideby-side relation to the bar segments ii, itbeing pointed out that the insulator elements 68 are shaped similarly tothe segments H except that they are not tapered. As illustrated, suchmeans includes a rectangular magazine 62 extending at right angles tothe chute it and opening into the groove 28 in the chute below the slot:4 and on the opposite wall of the chute therefrom, the magazine beingadapted to receive a series of insulator elements 6! Suitable means,such as a hinge 64 may be provided for opening the magazine andinserting the elements therein. The lower portion of the groove 29 inthe chute it is enlarged sufliciently at 66 to receive an element 68 anda segment I l, the two being held therein by friction. A plunger 68 isslidably mounted within the magazine 62, and is provided at its endadjacent the insulator elements with an elongated projection it. Agroove i2 is provided in one of the side walls of the magazine 62, asseen in Fig. 8, the groove extending to an opening 14 formed in the sidewall of the magazine near its forward end. Attached to the plunger illby suitable means is a cord it other similar flexible material whichcord is positioned in the groove 72 and which extends through the hole74 to the outside of the container. Mounted on the free, outer end ofthe cord is a weight I53, the pull of the weight firmly pressing theplunger 58 and its associated projection 70 against the elements 6!} toforce them into the groove 29 in the chute It.

Novel switching means are also provided for controlling the operation ofthe electric motor which operates the shaft 35, the motor beingcontrolled by the number of insulator elements in the magazine 62.Mounted on the underside of the magazine is a switch 86 having a contactarm 82 mounted on a shaft within housing $3 A slot 86 is provided in theunderside of the magazine 62 above the switch and a finger 88 projectsthrough the slot 88 and into the magazine. A spring 99 is mounted in theslot, one end being attached to the finger 33, the other being attachedto the lower face of the magazine. As will be seen in Fig. 3, as theinsulator elements ve toward the chute iii, the finger 58 will be forcedby the insulator elements to the right, thereby moving the contact arm82 to the fon position and thereby starting the motor. As soon as thelast insulator element passes the finger 83, the spring 99 will pull thearm to the left thereby opening the circuit to the motor and stoppingthe same.

Means are provided for maintaining the bar segments and insulatingelements in aligned sideby-side relationship as they move toward thelower end of the chute. A slot 100 is formed in the cover plate 3tadjacent the end of the magazine 62. A wheel I02 is mounted on a shaftits attached to the chute, the wheel being provided with spaced teethHi6, the distance between teeth being equal to the length of the uppersides of the bar segments H and insulating elements 66. A portion of thetoothed wheel extends through the slot into the passage in the chuteand, as the bar segments ii and insulator elements til move adjacent toeach other, one of the teeth on the wheel I02 engages the reduced sidesthereof and properly positions them in side-by-side relation. Thedownward movenemt of the segment and element causes the wheel to revolveand causes the following tooth to engage the next pair of commutatorelements. A spring finger see extends into the passage in the chute itbelow the magazine 62 adjacent the end of the chute, the spring fingerengaging the upper surface of an insulator element as it is projectedthrough the chute to provide additional friction.

Novel means are provided for properly positioning each pair ofcommutator parts in a commutator spool. As shown, such means includes anarm Ilfl which is pivotally mounted on the side wall of the chute iiiadjacent the cam wheel 33, the lower end of the arm extending below theend of the chute iii. A roller H2 is mounted on the arm H and abuts thecam surface of the wheel. The lower end of the arm I it is provided witha plunger H4 which extends beneath the chute It and which is adapted toengage the pair of commutator parts as they are ejected from the chute.A spring H6 maintains the arm Ht against the cam surface of the wheel38. As the parts emerge from the chute it, they drop into a commutatorspool I it and associated cage i l9 and the plunger H4, working insynchronism with the crank 42, engages the parts and rotates the spool adistance equal to the thickness of the parts.

As the cam wheel 38 rotates, the arm H4 is withdrawn from beneath chutei0; and another set of parts is then ejected by the action of the crank42 and the process repeated. After the spool has been filled, the spoolis removed from a turntable 120 on which it rests and another spool ispositioned beneath the chute to receive the commutator parts.

The turntable [2d, which is mounted beneath the chute it, comprises arevolving plate I22 provided with two holes adjacent the peripherythereof on diametrically opposite sides, only one of the holes, i2 3,being shown in the drawing. Centering pins are mounted adjacent theperiphery of the turntable on opposite sides of the upper surfacethereof and are spaced 90 degrees from the above-mentioned holes, onlyone of the pins, I26, being shown. A look pin i251. is mounted beneaththe turntable and is adapted to be projected through one of the holes bya foot pedal when the apparatus is in use to properly position the spoolH5 which is mounted on one of the pins. When the spool 1 i8 is filledwith the commutator parts, the lock pin is withdrawn and the turntablerotated 180 degrees to permit the filling of a second spool which hasbeen placed on the second centering pin. The first spool is removed andan empty spool placed on the pin to replace it and the process repeated.

While one form which the invention may take has been described andillustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that otherembodiments, a well as modifications thereof, may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit or scope of the invention, for thelimits of which reference must be had to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for making commutators having alternate segments of theconducting and insulating types, a chute through which seg ments of onetype are fed and respectively paired with segments of the other type,said chute including aligned sections comprising an entrance section, anassembly section and a delivery section, means for feeding segments ofsaid one type to the entrance section one after the other and inengagement with each other, a magazine communicating with the assemblysection and angularly positioned with respect to chute, said magazinehousing a plurality of segments of the other type in contact with eachother, means for constantly urging the segments in said magazine towardsaid assembly section to effect pairing of the respective segments fromthe magazine with respective segments from the entrance section, andmeans for successively engaging and positively and intermittently movingthe segments in the entrance section through the entrance section to besuccessively paired in the assembly section with the respective segmentsfrom said magazine and for moving said pairs through the assembly anddelivery sections, said assembly sec tion being enlarged to permit thesegment emerging from the magazine to move the segment from the entrancesection laterally in order to pair the same and to permit the nextsucceeding segment in the restricted entrance section to abut the upperends of the paired segments and force said pair of segments to thedelivery section as said segment is moved through the entrance sectiontoward the assembly section.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for moving thesegments through the entrance section comprises an arm mounted on thechute and having a portion thereof extending into the chute to engageeach successive segment to move the same through the entrance section,and means for vertically reciprocating said arm.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 comprising, in addition, arotatable plate mounted beneath the end of the chute, a rotatable cagemounted on said plate to receive said paired segments, a plungerengaging one side of the respective paired segments to successively movethe cage after successive pairs of segments are received in the cage,and means for reciprocating said plunger in timed relation with saidarm.

4. In apparatus for making cornmutators having alternate segments of theconducting and insulating types, a vertical chute through which segmentsof one type are fed and respectively paired. with segments of the othertype, said chute including aligned sections comprising an entrancesection, an assembly section and a delivery section said assembly anddelivery sections being enlarged to permit reception of the segments inside by relation, means for feeding segments of said one type to theentrance section one after the other and in engagement with each other,the walls of the entrance section frictionally engaging opposite facesof said segments, a horizontal magazine communicating with the assemblysection and angularly positioned with respect to said chute, saidmagazine housing a plurality of segments of the other type in contactwith each other, means for constantly urging the segments in saidmagazine toward said assembly section to effect pairing of therespective segments from the magazine with respective segments from theentrance section, and means for successively engaging and positively andintermittently moving the segments in the entrance section through theentrance section to be successively paired in the assembly section withthe respective segments from said magazine and for moving said pairsthrough the assembly and delivery section, each segment as it emergesfrom the entrance section engaging the upper edges of a pair of saidsegments paired in the assembly section and forcing said pair ofsegments to the delivery section as said segment is moved through theentrance section toward the delivery section, the walls of the deliverysection frictionally engaging opposite faces of a pair of said segments.

5. Mechanism for assembling commutators having alternate segments of theconducting and insulating types, comprising a chute including anentrance section adapted to receive segments of one type, an assemblystation wherein a segment of one type is paired with a segment of theother type, and a delivery station for said pair, a magazine forsegments of the other type angularly disposed to said chute andconnected thereto adjacent the assembly station, said assembly stationand delivery station being in vertical alignment with said entrancesection and enlarged to receive the paired segments, means for movingsaid segments of one type to the assembly station, and means for movingsaid segments of the other type to said assembly station to pair thesegments of the two types, the paired segments being moved. to thedelivery station by the next succeeding segment delivered from theentrance section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 870,108 Kowastch et al Nov. 5, 1907 1,606,432 Herkenheine Nov.9, 1926 1,759,500 Frederick May 20, 1930 1,759,501 Frederick May 20,1930 1,328,441 Poole et al. Oct 20, 1931 1,979,434 Baker Nov. 6, 19342,394,955 Weber Feb. 12, 1946 2,489,377 Hendrixson et a1. Nov. 29, 19492,542,988 Bureau Feb. 27, 1951

